1 CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLDB’SENIOR
2 KOREA There sre more Christians in South Korea than in ither Asian countries,such as China and Japan.Unlike Japan, Christmas is an official public holiday-so people have the day off work and school,but they go back on the 26th (Boxing Day). Churches are decorated with lights and many have a bright red neon cross on top(all year) Department stores put on big displays of decorations.There’s also an amazing display of lights in the capital city,Seoul. Presents are exchanged and a popular present is money. Santa Claus can also be seen in Korea, but he might be wearing red or blue.He’s also known as Santa Kullosu or Santa Grandfather. Merry Christmas in Korea is ‘Meri Krismas’ or ‘Jeulgaeun krismas doeseyo’
3 FRANCE Christmas in Paris look like a fairytale.There are colorfl lights and red bows on the trees.The Christmas Eve is a working day,but at night the whole family has dinner. The Santa Claus gives presents on 24 and 25 December.At Christmas Eve the children leave their shoes undre the fireplace and wait Santa Claus to fill them with presents. All the Christmas festivals last 4 days and finish with various events in streets and squares. In France Merry Christmas is ‘Joyeux Noel’ and Santa Claus is called ‘Pere Noel’(Father Christmas).In Eastern France he is accompanied by Le Pere Fouettard, man dressed in black. The main Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas Eve/early Christmas morning,after people have returned from the midnight church Service. Dishes might include roast turkey with chestnuts or roast goose ,oysters,foie gras,lobster,venision and cheese.Foe dessert, a chocolate sponge cake log called ‘Buche de Noel’ is normally eaten.
4 GERMANY A big part of the Christmas celebration is Advent.Several different types of advent are used in German homes. Christmas trees are very important in Germany.They were first used in Germany during the Middle Ages. If there are young children in the house the trees are usually secretly decorated by the mother of the family.In some parts of Germany, during the evening the family would read the Bible and sing Christmas songs,such as ‘o Tannenbaum’. Santa Claus or Father Christmas,brings the presents on December 24th.Some people say that ‘Weinachtsmann’ brings the presents and some say it is Christkind.Children also hope that Der Nikolaus will bring them some small gifts,such as sweets and chocolate on the 6th December.In some regions of Germany ,there is a character called’Knecht Ruprecht’ or ‘Krampus’,who accompanies Nikolaus.He is a big horned monster who carries a birch and is dressed in rugs.
5 ITALY
6 Venice:In Venice, again in the Middle Ages, the Doge and the people went to the Christmas night to the neighboring island of St. George to venerate the relics of St. Stephen. On the island beach waiting Venetian noblewomen dressed in black and adorned with jewels, to welcome the Doge and to accompany him to the temple. After the operation the whole brilliant entourage entered the gondolas and crossing the water returns to St. Mark's Square, where a large feast began, which continued until the morning. Rome:Christmas Eve in Rome fall cannon from Castel San Angelo that mark the beginning of the holiday season. The 24-hour fasting ends with a sumptuous Christmas dinner. According to tradition, the gifts are placed in a clay vase. Christmas dinner:The Christmas dinner varies from region to region. In general, the Christmas Eve menu includes meat but not baked, cooked or fried eel (pranzo della vigilia). The Christmas dinner includes tortellini, rooster and a variety of sweets. The letter of Christmas: Eve children Christmas donate Christmas letter to their parents, in which they give their best wishes and promise them to be good children, written in cursive letters in decorated paper.
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8 What we celebrate……. “Christougenna” means the birth of Christ Christmas start on December 25th till January 6th, which is known as the Feast of Epiphany
9 Why I love Christmas…… School close ….. I sleep a lotWe put the Christmas tree We light the fire place We eat a lot Each village has its own traditions Aghios Vassilis brings gifts Dad and mom buy me present We sing carols It snows…
10 Christmas Decoration ……
11 Christmas tree & kallikantzaroi …..Christmas Trees are popular in Greece. But an older and more traditional decoration is a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire is suspended across the rim. A sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross hangs from the wire. Some water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and fresh. Once a day someone, usually the mother of the family, dips the cross and basil into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the house. This is believed to keep the 'kallikantzaroi' Καλλικάντζαρος (bad spirits) away. The kallikantzaroi are meant to appear only during the 12-day period from Christmas to Epiphany (January 6th). They are supposed to come from the middle of the earth and get into people's house through the chimney! The kallikantzaroi do things like putting out fires and making milk go off. Having a fire burning through the twelve days of Christmas is also meant to keep the kallikantzaroi away.
12 Christmas tree ….. Christmas tree is called ‘‘elato”
13 What we eat…. Lamb or pork,Spinach and cheese pie and various salads and vegetables. Melomakarona Kourampiedes Diples or theeples Vasilopitta on December 31 and after the coming of New Year, the household cuts vasilopita and everyone gets a piece. There is a hidden coin and the person who finds it, is the lucky one for the new year. One piece is dedicated to Jesus and one to the house.
14 Carols ‘kalanta” ….. On Christmas Eve, New year eve and epiphany children, often go out singing 'kalanta' (carols) in the streets. They play triangles as they sing. Sometimes they will also carry model boats decorated with nuts which are painted gold. Carrying a boat is a very old custom in the Greek Islands. If the children sing well, they might be given money, as well things to eat like nuts, sweets and dried figs.
15 Santa Claus ….. In Greece, presents are often brought to children by Aghios Vassilis / Άγιος Βασίλης (Saint Basil) on the 1st January. Children write a letter and Saint Basil brings the gift But some times he has an accident……xa-xa
16 SPAIN
17 CHRISTMAS IN FINLAND Unlike in most Christian countries, the highlight of the Finnish Christmas celebration is the Christmas Eve,December 24th , and not the Christmas day itself.In the old town of Turku,the former capital of Finland,a special ceremony is held to declare the beggining of “Christmas Peace” period,strating at 12 o’clock noon on Christmas Eve and lasting for 20 days.In the daclaration the citizens are wished a Merry Christmas and prompted to spend the Christmas time peacefully. Moreover, everyone cleans their houses for the three holy days of Christmas-Christmas Eve,Christmas Day and Boxing Day. On Christmas Eve they eat porridge and plum friut juice for breakfast.Then, the tree is bought(if it hasn’t been already) and is decorated. At midday,the “Peace of Christmas”,is broadcasted on radio and TV by the city mayorof Turku.Christmas Day is much quieter with families usually spending it quietly at home. On Boxing Day ,people like to go out.
18 UNITED KINGDOM In the UK,families often celebrate Christmas together,so that they can watch each other open their presents! Most families have a Christmas tree(or maybe even two) in their house for Christmas.The decorating of the tree is usually a family occasion,with everyone helping.Christmas trees were first popul;arised in the UK by Prince Albert,the husband of Queen Victoria. Holly,Ivy ans Misletoe are also sometimes used to decorate homes or other buildings.Most villages,towns and cities are decorated with Christmas lights .Often a famous person switches them on.The most famous Christmas lights in the UK are in Oxford Street in London.Every year the get better and bigger. Thousands of people go to watch the big”switch on” around the beggining of November.
19 DENMARK Some people in Denmark give and receive extra Advent presents on the four Sundays of Advent.Different types of Advent candles and calendars are popular in Denmark, so as to countdown to Christmas Eve.There are 24 little presents for the children in the calendar,one for each day until Christmas Eve. Christmas parties are held from 1st November to 24th December,where everyone has a good time. Making cakes and biscuits is popular in the time before Christmas In Denmark most people go to a church Service on Christmas Eve,to hear the Christmas story.
20 JULEMANDEN When they get home the main Christmas meal is eaten.It is served on a beautifully decorated table.Popular Christmas foods include roast duck,goose or pork.They are served with boiled or sweet potatoes,red cabbage,beetroot and cranberry sauce. After the meal the lights on the Christmas tree are lit,people dance around the tree and sing carols.Then,it’s time to open their presents. Children believe that their presents are brought by the “Julemanden”(which means Christmas man).He looks very similar to Santa Claus amd also travels with a sleigh and reindeer.He lives in Greenland,likes rice pudding and is helped by “nisser”,which are like elves. In Dannish Merry Christmas is “Glaedelig Jul”
21 CANADA Many Christians in Canada mark the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25, which is known as Christmas Day. It is a day of celebration when many Canadians exchange gifts and enjoy festive mealsChristmas in Canda,on December 25,is when friends and family gather to eat and open their presents. Many Canadians have a day off work on December 25 and many spend the day with close relatives or friends. It is customary to exchange gifts, enjoy a special festive meal and, perhaps, attend a special church service. However, some people, particularly in Quebec, do some or all of these things on Christmas Eve as well as, or instead of, on Christmas Day. Most major cities hold a Santa Claus parade in November,with some spilling over in December. Christmas traditions are similar right across the country,but be sure to be up-to-date in city-specific light festivals,Santa Claus sightings and Boxing Day sales. Although cold,Toronto is crowded and festive.
22 SANTA AND PRESENTS The traditions centered on Christmas gifts in Canada vary a lot between families. In some families, a mythical figure called Santa Claus brings gifts. He travels on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, enters homes via the chimney and leaves presents and candy in Christmas stockings or in a pile under the Christmas tree. In other families, individual members exchange carefully selected gifts. Popular gifts are toys, games and candy for children and clothes, music, alcohol and practical or luxury items for adults. Canadians may open their presents on Christmas Eve after a special church service or during the morning or after lunch on Christmas Day.
23 MAY YOUR CHRISTMAS BE BLESSED WITH PEACE AND JOY!!!